Corner construction for boxes



March 3, 19 9 J. c. WILSON 2,875,942

CORNER CONSTRUCTION FOR BOXES Fil ed Sept. 5, 1956 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR. JAMES 0. WILSON WM/W ATTORNEYS March 3, 1959 J. c. WILSON 2,875,942

CORNER CONSTRUCTION FOR BOXES Filed Sept. 5, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JAMES c. WILSON ATTORNEYS n d W W 0" 2,875,942 CQRNER CONSTRUCTION F OR BOXES James C. Wilson, Jacksonville, Fla, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Owens-Illinois Glass Company, Toledo, Qhio, acorporation of Ohio Application September 5, 1956, Serial No. 608,114

' 8 Claims. (Cl. 22935) The present invention relates to a box construction, and more particularly to the manner of forming a corner thereon. The invention is particularly well adapted for use in boxes for the transporting of live chicks, but its significance is not limited thereto.

One problem involved in the formation of shipping containers from paperboard or the like, particularly where fragile objects are to be carried by those containers, is to provide for appreciable resistance to vertical compression. Containers are usually stacked one above the other when shipped in trucks or freight cars, and the weight ofthe filled containers above a given container in the stack tends to collapse or deform the latter container, with consequent peril to its contents. In the shipment of live chicks the'problem is particularly critical'not only because the chicks themselves are physically delicatebut also because adequate circulation or air to the chicks is required if the birds are to survive the trip; Itis customaryto provide raised corners on chick boxes sotha't the bodies of'those' boxes, when stacked, are spaced fro'm'one another vertically, thus providing'the requisite passages for circulation; If these raised corners a'renotof sufiicient'st'rength to withstand the weight of the pile of containers stacked thereabove, particul'ai'lywhen' thestack is subjected to jou'ncingattendant upon transportation, the required circulation of air may be cut off'and the chicks will su'fiocate;

order toprovide corner-portions ofsufiicient compressive strength they are often made of muti-ply construction. In that'way paperboard may be 'employed which, single-ply, has sufficient-strength for the side, top and bottom -wall requirements, which are usually not as rigordus as'the corner wallrequirements, theuse'of aplur ality'of plies in the corner wall providingthe extra strength where it neededf The present inventionis th g p m yp? v.

Inpriorart constructions embodying multi-ply corner wall constructions, however, the use of the comparatively expensiv Paperboard is not particularly eeonornical. Either an excessive'amount of paperboard is employed in the box itself, usually adding strength where' it is not needed, or there considerablefwa'sta'ge' of paperbo'ard in forming the blanks for individual boxes from paperboard sheets oi extensive area'for both.'

'Another problem generally prevalent in'the container field and particularly applicable nets has'to do with .the ease with which the containe'rs 'nfaybe erected and with theirreliability after erection. Theplcontainer blanks are usually shipped to the point of use in flat 'or collapsed condition," to be elrected'wheri and as' needed. Boiies 'whichcm be erected only'with difficulty or which require appreciabltiineto erect are to that extent unde irable, since delay or trouble in'erection' represents ii economic loss to theus'er's of the containers. Moreoverjthe desirability of a given box construction is further decreased "to ftheextentto which'special erecting or attaching equipment, such 'as' staplers, or gluers, must be employed, The signifipanc'e of these factors will be appreciated when itjisconsidered that these containers are usually erectedby'haiidby unskilledfpersonneh I irt -accordance",with" 'the' pr'esent invention a box is produced i ri whines cornersare reinforced andfgiven 2,875,942 st ne M 3. 1.9.

2 the desired resistance to vertical compression by means of a "construction and arrangement which permits the, most economical use of 'thepaperboard or other 'niat'erial of which the container is formed. The container is, moreover, selfflse curejd in position, requiring no staples or other securing adjuncts. Erection of the container from its blank is a yery simple matter, well within the ability of unskilled personnel to perform rapidly and effectively. Moreover, the blank from which the container is formed is' substantially rectangular in shape, so that there is little or no wastage involved in forming a plurality of blanks from a paperboard sheet or the like.

To these ends the box is provided with a corner wall panel interposed between the side walls which meet at a given corner, the corner wall panel being provided with an extensionadapted to be bent down inside the box so as to produce a' rnulti-ply construction. The side walls are provided with flaps adapted, when the contrainer is erected, to overlie the corner wall panel and define additional reinforcing plies at the corners. These flaps, and consequently the side walls to which they are connected; are" held 'in position by being engaged between the corner wall panel and its bent-down extension'. Inorder to make this securement doubly secure, the flaps areproyidedwith registering apertures through which the corner wall panel extension is passed to'its bent-down position. "To assistin the location and rein force'nient of the various wall elements, theflaps secured tothe'side wall are'prfovided with lateral extensions or tabs which extend alongthe sidewalls when the eornei' is erected, and at least one of those" tabs is adapted to be secured to the side wall along'which it extends, as by having a tip adapted to pass through an aperture inthat side wall. The tip ofthe corner wallpanel extension is adaptedto snap into an aperture or recess formed in the bottom wall of the container, thus reliably holding the entire corner assembly in proper position. All; of these wall elements are oriented and arranged to define a substantially square corner when in blank form, so that there is substantially no wastage of paperboard ma} terial involved in the formation of the blanks.

T o the accomplishmentof the above, and to such other objects as may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to the construction of a box, and particularly a corner thereof, as defined in the appended claims and as described in this specification, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig, 1 is a three-quarter perspective exploded view of the present invention embodied in a complete chick box container including partitions and cover, the container proper being shown in erected condition;

Fig. 2 is a three-quarter perspective view of the assembled container with the cover in position;

Fig.3 is a fragmentary three-quarter perspective view of the corner construction, showing the manner in which the corner'is erected;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of a corner of the blank from which the container proper is erected;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1; and i r K Fig. 6'is a cross sectional view taken alongth'e line 6-6ofFig. 1." Y I The container proper comprises a bottom Wall Zhav; ing side edges 4 connected by angular corner edges 6 Foldably secured to the bottom wall 2 along the side edges 4 are side wall panels, 8 having upper edges 1Q parallel to the side edgesv 4 and having end. edges; 1; substantially perpendicular to the edges 4. Foldably secured to the bottom wall 2 along the corner edgeso are "corner wall panels14 extending in a direction sub; stantially p pendic lar. gthe. corner, edges. 913

20, 20a and tabs 22, 22a.

. 3, comer; wall panels 14 are provided with longitudinal extensions 16 connected thereto by means of foldlines 18. As may best be seen from an examination of Fig. 4,

which is a top plan view of the corner of the blank from which the container proper is erected, there are spaces on either side of the corner wall panel 14 and extension 16 and between those elements and the end edges 12 of the side walls 8. These spaces are filled by flaps The flaps 20 and 20a are foldably secured to the side walls 8 along the end edges 12, andthe tabs 22 and 22a are foldably secured to the flaps 2 and 20a respectively by foldlines 24. The width of the flaps 20 is substantially equal to the width of the corner wall panel 14. Since the corner wall panel 14 and its extension. 16 are diagonally oriented with respectto the blank, while the flaps 20 are rectangularly oriented relative thereto, it will be seen that the combined height of the corner wall panel 14 and the extension 16 thereof is greater than the maximum height of thefflaps 20. The foldline 18 between the corner wall panel 14 and its extension 16 is so located that the height of the corner wall panel 14 is less than the maximum height ofthe flaps 20, and the flaps 20 are provided with slots 26 positioned at a distance outside the bottom wall side edges 4 which corresponds to the height of the corner wall panel 14. The corner wall panel 14 and its extension 16 are separated from the flaps 20 and tabs 22 in the blank by means of cuts 28.

It will be noted particularly from an examination of Figs. 3 and 4 that the tip of the extension 16 is pointed and is defined by edges 30 which are in line with the upper edges of the side walls 8 and thus represent projectionsof the side wall upper edges 10. For purposes of convenience of manipulation the pointed tip of the extension 16 may be somewhat blunted, as by edge 32, if desired. The bottom wall 2 is provided, adjacent the corner edge 6, with an aperture or recess 34 into which the tip of the extension 16 is adapted to snap.

The'upper edges (the outer edges when viewed in plan) of the flaps 20, a and the tab 22 also are in line with the upper side wall edges 10. The upper edge 36 of the tab 22a is however angled inwardly somewhat so that the tip 38 of the tab 22a is inset with respect to a projection of its side wall upper edge 10. The other side wall associated therewith at a corner is provided with an aperture 40, optionally provided with flap 41 (see Fig. 6) adapted to register with the tip 38 of the tab 22a when the container is erected.

The container may, if desired, be provided with the interlocking partitions 42 and 44, each of those partitions having ears 46 and 48 respectively adapted to extend along the inner surfaces of appropriate side walls 8, there to be secured in any appropriate manner, as by adhesive, stapling or the like. A cover 50 is adapted to be received over the container proper, that cover being provided with ears 52 which may be received within notches 54 formed in the upper side wall edges 10. The partition 44 may be provided with upward projections 56 having tabs 58 foldably associated therewith, the projections and tabs being passable through slots 60 formed in the cover sheet 50, the tabs 58 then being folded at right angles to the projections 56 so as to overlie the upper surface of the cover sheet 50 and hold it in position, all as may clearly be seen in Fig. 2.

To erect the container proper from its blank the side walls 8 are folded up substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 2 and the flaps 20 and 20a are overlapped at each corner, the flap 20a outermost, so that their apertures 26 register. The overlapping of the flaps 20 and 20a is preferably such that the tab 22a extends along the outer surface of the side wall 8 on the other side of the corner from the side wall 8 to which the tab 22a is connected by means of the flap 20. The tip 38 of the tab 22a is passed through the aperture .40. in that side wall 8, it preferably being a fairly snug fit therein, thus at least preliminarily retaining the wall elements 8, 20, 20a, 22 and 22a in desired position.

Next the extension 16 is folded about the foldline 18 with respect to the corner wall 14, the latter is bent up about the bottom wall corner edge 6, and the extension 16 is passed through the registering flap apertures 26 until the corner wall panel 14 extends along the outer surface of the outermost flap 20a. Thereafter the extension 16 is further folded about the foldline 18 until it extends down inside the container along the inner surface of the innermost flap 20, the tip of the extension 16 snapping into the recess or aperture 34 formed in the bottom wall 2. When this has been done all of the portions of the corner are firmly secured in erected position without,it will be noted, the use of any auxiliary securing devices. Of course, auxiliary securing devices could be employed if desired to add an addi tional measure of security, but they are not at all required.

The corner construction thus defined has exceptional compressive strength. In effect it constitutes a four-ply corner wall defined by the corner Wall panel 14, the two flaps 20, 20a and the extension 16. Since the paperboard defining the foldline 18 between the corner wall panel 14 and the extension 16 is of substantially the same width as the apertures 26 through which it passes relative shifting of the side walls 8 when force is applied thereto in any direction is positively prevented. The application of downward pressure to the upper edges of the flaps 20a, is transmitted by those flaps to the side walls 8 to which they are respectively connected, and is also transmitted to the corner wall panel 14 and its extension 16.- The latter elements directly resist such compressive forces, while the side walls 8, since they cannot shift position, aid in resisting such pressures.

Hence it will be seen that a strong and reinforced corner is produced from a blank having substantially complete corner rectangularity, that erection of the corner is simple and rapid, that no auxiliary securing elements need be employed, that there is substantially no wastage of paperboard material, and that more than adequate strength is provided to the corner with a most economical use of structural material.

While but a single embodiment of the present invention has been here disclosed, the invention being embodied in a construction specially designed for use in the transportation of live chicks, it will be apparent that many variations may be made therein, all within the scope of the instant invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A blank for a container comprising a bottom wall panel having side edges. connected by angular corner edges, side wall panels foldably'connected to said bottom wall panel along said side edges and having end edges and upper edges respectively substantially perpendicular and parallel to said bottom wall side edges, corner wall panels foldably connected to said bottom wall along said corner edges and extending substantially perpendicular thereto, extensions foldably secured to the ends of said corner wall panels and extending substantially to the intersection of projections of said side wall upper edges, the spaces between said side wall end edges and said corner wall panels and extensions containing flaps foldably secured to said side wall end edges and of a width corresponding to the width of said corner wall panel, and tabs foldably secured to said flaps and extend ing laterally therefrom, said flaps having apertures substantially of the width of said extension positioned corresponding to the height of said corner wall panel, through which apertures said extension is adapted to be passed when said blank is erected.

' 2. The blank of claim 1, in which said tip of said extension is pointed to define a substantially squared corner on said blank, and said bottom wall is provided with a recess adjacent the connection between said bottom wall and said corner wall panel into which said extension tip is adapted to be received when said blank is erected.

3. The blank of claim 1, in which said tip of said extension is pointed to define a substantially squared corner on said blank, said bottom wall is provided with a recess adjacent the connection between said bottom wall and said corner wall panel into which said extension tip is adapted to be received when said blank is erected, and one of said tabs has an outer edge inset relative to said squared corner, the side wall panel on the other side of said corner from said one of said tabs being provided with an aperture into which the tip of said one of said tabs is adapted to be received when said blank is erected.

4. A blank for a container comprising a bottom wall panel having side edges connected by angular corner edges, side wall panels foldably connected to said bottom wall panel along said side edges and having end edges and upper edges respectively substantially perpendicular and parallel to said bottom wall side edges, corner wall panels foldably connected to said bottom wall along said corner edges and extending substantially perpendicular thereto, extensions foldably secured to the ends of said corner wall panels and extending substantially to the intersection of projections of said side wall upper edges, the spaces between said side wall end edges and said corner wall panels and extensions being substantially filled by flaps foldably secured to said side wall end edges and of a width corresponding to the width of said corner wall panel and tabs foldably secured to said flaps and extending laterally therefrom, said flaps having apertures substantially of the width of said extension positioned corresponding to the height of said corner wall panel, through which apertures said extension is adapted to be passed when said blank is erected.

5. A container comprising a bottom wall, side walls extending up therefrom and terminating at a corner in end edges spaced from one another, a corner wall panel extending up from said bottom wall between said side wall end edges, flaps on said side walls extending laterally beyond said side wall end edges, overlapping one another to define a flap assembly and having one surface of said flap assembly extending along a surface of said corner wall panel, and an upper extension on said corner wall panel foldably related thereto and bent around said flaps so as to extend along the other surface of said flap assembly, and means for securing said extension in bentover position, said flaps being of a width corresponding to that of said corner wall panel and being provided with foldably related tabs projecting laterally therefrom and extending along the inside and outside of the side walls other than those from which said tabs extend, one of said side walls being provided with an aperture into which the end of the tab extending therealong is received, said flaps being higher than said corner wall panel and being provided with registering apertures at the height of said corner wall panel through which said extension passes.

'6. A container comprising a bottom wall, side walls extending up therefrom and terminating at a corner in end edges spaced from one another, a corner wall panel extending up from said bottom wall between said side wall end edges, flaps on said side walls extending laterally beyond said side wall end edges, overlapping one another to define a flap assembly and having one surface of said flap assembly extending along a surface of said corner wall panel, and an upper extension on said corner wall panel foldably related thereto and bent around said flaps so as to extend along the other surface of said flap assembly, and means for securing said extension in bentover position, said flaps being of a width, corresponding to that of said corner wall panel and being provided with foldably related tabs projecting laterally therefrom and extending along the inside and outside of the side walls other than those from which said tabs extend, one of said side walls being provided with an aperture into which the end of the tab extending therealong is received, said flaps being higher than said corner wall panel and being provided with registering apertures at the height of said corner wall panel through which said extension passes, said corner wall panel being positioned outside said flap assembly and said extension being positioned inside said flap assembly.

7. A container comprising a bottom wall, side Walls extending up therefrom and terminating at a corner in end edges spaced from one another, a corner wall panel extending up from said bottom wall between said side wall end edges, flaps on said side walls extending laterally beyond said side wall end edges, overlapping one another to define a flap assembly and having one surface of said flap assembly extending along a surface of said corner wall panel, and an upper extension on said corner wall panel foldably related thereto and bent around said flaps so as to extend along the other surface of said flap assembly, and means for securing said extension in bent-over position, said flaps being of a width corresponding to that of said corner wall panel and being provided with foldably related tabs projecting laterally therefrom and extending along the inside and outside of the side walls other than those from which said tabs extend, one of said side walls being provided with an aperture into which the end of the tab extending therealong is received, said bottom Wall being provided with a recess in line with and adjacent said corner wall panel, the end of said extension in bent-over position being received within said recess, thereby securing said extension in bent-over position, said flap being higher than said corner wall panel and being provided with registering apertures at the height of said corner wall panel through which said extension passes.

8. A container comprising a bottom wall, side walls extending up therefrom and terminating at a corner in end edges spaced from one another, a corner wall panel extending up from said bottom wall between said side wall end edges, flaps on said side walls extending laterally beyond said side wall end edges, overlapping one another to define a flap assembly and having one surface of said flap assembly extending along a surface of said corner Wall panel, and an upper extension on said corner wall panel foldably related thereto and bent around said flaps so as to extend along the other surface of said flap assembly, and means for securing said extension in bent-over position, said flaps being of a width corresponding to that of said corner wall panel and being provided with foldably related tabs projecting laterally therefrom and extending along the inside and outside of the side walls other than those from which said tabs extend, one of said side walls being provided with an aperture into which the end of the tab extending therealong is received, said bottom wall being provided with a recess in line with and adjacent said corner wall panel, the end of said extension in bentover position being received within said recess, thereby securing said extension in bent-over position, said flaps being higher than said corner wall panel and being provided with registering apertures at the height of said corner wall panel through which said extension passes, said corner wall panel being positioned outside said flap assembly and said extension being positioned inside said flap assembly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

